Wallet Friendly Public Transportation in Singapore

I really liked Singapore's public transportation cos it has gotten better over the years.

A very good example is how the fare is now calculated based on your JOURNEY, meaning you can go from point A to point B with various modes of transport (bus and MRT) and the fares are adjusted according to your final destination, which is seen as a whole rather than individual trip.

EXAMPLE to travel from Harbourfront (Sentosa) to Bedok blok 534 I would need to take the MRT then change to bus.

Under standard fare calculations it would be SS1.66 for the MRT ride and then S$0.73 for bus ride BUT under the new system the total fare would be S$1.70 only!! Wow!!

But note that you'll need a singapore EZ-Link card to enjoy these rates.

Another cool point is this system is that it allows you 45 minutes of transit time between stops.

The full terms of the TRANSFER RULES are:-

1) Maximum of 5 transfers within a single journey, with a 45 minute allowance between each transfer.
2) All journeys must be completed within 2 hours.
3) Single entry and exit for rail travel.
4) Same bus service number must not be taken more than once in a journey.

You can click the link below to have a go at the new fare system.
Singapore Public Transport Fare Calculator

Useful tips for Universal Studio Singapore

BEFORE GOING
Be sure to check weather forecast before your trip. Their forecast are quite accurate since Singapore is such a small country, they need to be on alert at all time to changes in weather.

For 3 days forecast go http://app2.nea.gov.sg/weather_3day.aspx
For 7 days forecast go http://www.weathercity.com/sg/singapore/

Also note that since Singapore is an island, weather can change drastically.

On the appointed day, it did rained in the morning which makes quite a cumbersome walk in Universal Studio Singapore (USS), hence we purchased the poncho / raincoat for S$3 each. The size is really big so I ended up tying the poncho at the bottom.

Most of the Hollywood areas are cover by roof so you can enjoy even when it rains but not the rest.

USS OPERATING HOURS
USS opens from 10am to 7pm but for exact operating hours, click http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore/VisitorInfo#hours


GETTING THERE
To get to USS you must first get to Sentosa Island.

There are 5 ways to get there:-
From Harbourfront MRT station which is under or next to VivoCity shopping centre:-

1) sentosa express (sentosa island monorail) S$3.50
2) bus S$2
3) walk S$1 - it costs S$1 cos there are travelators (moving walkway) along the way.
4) cable car - Adult: S$29 Child: $18*
5) drive
dont worry about getting lost as there are plenty of signboards showing you the way to go.

Note:- you only need to pay to get into Sentosa Island. Once you are inside Sentosa Island, you are free to take the Sentosa Express to all other stations. Basically it runs from (not in a loop):-
Sentosa Station (VivoCity) - Waterfront (USS, Casino etc) - Imbiah Station - Beach Station

Which means when you leave Sentosa Island, regardless how you enter, you can take the Sentosa Express to exit for free!

ONCE THERE
Entrance fee depends on peak, super peak season but do look for occasional offers with Maybank or Mastercard cos apparently Maybank is one of their major sponsors.

Just google Universal Studio Singapore then the ones with offers link will be right on top of the sponsored links. The online purchase site is quite sneaky sometimes cos I was looking at the Mastercard promotion at S$60 but later after looking closely found another page with the Maybank offer of S$58.

You can purchase the tickets online or buy them onsite for same day or different dates.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY
As you can see from the map, USS is like a circle.. but make sure you remember to catch a few must watch live shows like Waterworld which is located way up north.

So better to tackle the attractions in a circle so as not to miss anything or tiring yourself out walking to and fro from one end to the other even though there's a shortcut in the middle.

At first I tried to think of a way to avoid crowds and queues but in USS it's quite hard cos new crowds kept coming, even in the afternoon. Maybe from singaporean annual pass holders or tour buses I guess.

BTW the Monster Rock show.. dont bother unless this is your first theme park visit. I nearly fell asleep inside the theater.

There are 3 rides which did not allow any bags / belongings. That's the Mummy and Battlestar Galactica (2 different rides with 2 different queues - human and alien version). Lockers are real easy to use.

Note you dont get to choose your locker number. The machine will assign a nearby locker for you. Just key in your Date of Birth and choose a favourite colour.

Certain rides, you might not want to wear your shoes, so you basically leave it beside the exit area.

WILL YOU GET WET IN JURASSIC PARK RIDE
Yes and no.. cos it pretty much depends on where you sit. It's a circular ride where people sit 3 - 3 - 3. Me and my boyfriend sat at the end of the 3 but across from each other, not side by side, as they want to fill it up to 9. Since we were the last to board, we had to sit whatever seats left.

I didnt get wet at all but my boyfriend was drenched!! So unless you dont like the idea of getting wet, best wear a poncho. Actually he did wear a poncho but he was not mindful to pull it way down to cover his jeans.  So he was drenched from backside all the way down to his legs ;p


FOOD IN USS

Foodwise, I read from other blogs that New York Pizza is good but I tried Mel's Drive In.. Loved their double cheeseburgers at S$13.50 with fries and large soda drinks. Comparable to malaysia's Carl's Jr burger.

For S$13.50 you get a burger, fries and large drink

S$13.80 for turkey leg combo
S$12 for turkey leg only
Collectible souvenir bottle from S$8.90 - S$25.90 then refill at S$2

S$9.80 for cotton candy with souvenir.
Bottled drinks are from S$3.30 - S$5.80
Ice cream are from S$3 - S$6.

WHAT do you do after 7pm?
USS close pretty early so stay back in Sentosa to check out the Resort World Sentosa casino. Just make sure you have your passport with you. Also make sure no sleeveless shirt for guys, no shorts, no slippers or sandals. In other words, no beachwear to enter.

Then make sure you stay for the Crane Dance at 9pm (Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays and the eve of Public Holidays)
Link to their calendar http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/EntertainmentNightlife/CraneDance/CraneDanceCalendar
Be there like 15min earlier for higher up seats.

FIREWORKS in USS
Only available on Saturday nights around 09:30pm (subject to availability and weather conditions) for the Hollywood after Party.

If you did not purchase the USS pass, you can still see the fireworks from outside USS. However it's best viewed from inside the themepark. 


SPECIAL NOTES on EXPRESS PASS and etc
a) expect plenty of crowd and from different nationality. Usually people recommend Express Pass only on Saturdays and Sundays.. I went on a Friday which coincides with malaysia's independance day. The crowd was there from malaysia, indonesia, singapore, india and etc...

Even though I arrive at 11plus, I just barely manage to catch all the rides (minus all the kiddies' rides) and a lunch. No photo taking with any characters. Didn't even have time for a 2nd round on any rides.. So I would recommend Express Pass if you can afford it especially when you know it's a public holiday in Singapore or Malaysia or Indonesia.

Those with Express Pass have a certain smug look on their faces as they bypass all those waiting in queue.. guess this kind of privilege is priceless in USS plus you get to do it over and over and over again.. Sigh...

b) no checking of bags at point of entry.

c) there are plenty of water fountains especially near restrooms and some at the start or middle of the queue line for certain rides. Great for those who dont fancy carbonated drinks.

d) you can exit and re-enter USS. Just make sure you get your hand stamped with an invisible ink and show your USS ticket for same day re-entry.

* * * * * * * *

For more tips on:-
left luggage services in Sentosa Island, click JL Journal/left-luggage-or-locker-services
travelling by public transportation in Singapore, click JL Journal/wallet-friendly-public-transportation

Useful tips for Night Safari Singapore

BEFORE GOING
Be sure to check weather forecast before your trip. Their forecast are quite accurate since Singapore is such a small country, they need to be on alert at all time to changes in weather.

For 3 days forecast go http://app2.nea.gov.sg/weather_3day.aspx
For 7 days forecast go http://www.weathercity.com/sg/singapore/

Also note that since Singapore is an island, weather can change drastically.

Rain does dampen your mood in the safari as it's no fun walking around in the rain and believe me, you'll be doing plenty of walking there.


GETTING THERE
By MRT followed by bus no. 138 is the cheapest but will take approximately 1hour 15min so must leave for Night Safari latest by 5pm or earlier from the city as you can opt for dinner at Ang Mo Kio hub or Night Safari itself (opens from 6pm).

Night Safari Tickets (Front)

Night Safari Tickets (Back)

ONCE THERE
Entrance fee S$32 for adult (includes unlimited tram ride)
But there's a counter just at the entrance selling the ticket at S$39 which includes a souvenir.

Going early has advantages as you can then watch the nightly Thumbuakar (fire eating) performances at 645pm followed by the Creatures of the Night Show at 730pm.

SUGGESTED WALKING TRAILS
Each trail takes approximately 20min but I think better to allocate 1 1/2 hours for the whole journey cos you'll be stopping for photos as well as to catch your breath ;p

Start with the tram ride then alight at the East Lodge station then proceed by foot to the rest of the 4 walking trails:-
1) East Lodge Trail
2) Wallaby Trail
you'll end up at the tram station at the entrance but proceed with the trails.
3) Fishing Cat Trail
4) Leopard Trail - remember to walk to the Zebra section.
you'll end up at the East Lodge Station, board the tram to continue with the rest of the tram ride (note: full tram ride takes 45min).

CATCHING BUS BACK
With this itinerary you are sure to be able catch your bus by 10 to 1030pm to reach the city at 1145pm latest as MRT is closed at about 1145pm. Buses end later at 12 or 1230am depending on location.


SPECIAL NOTES
a) expect plenty of crowd and from different nationality. They even have a separate tram queue line for the japanese. But the queue are really fast moving so no worries!

b) a MUST visit is the Fruit Bat and Giant Flying Squirrel enclosures. The entrance is a bit obscure as the entrances are just a door. Nothing prominent.

The thought of going in to an enclosed area with bats flying around can be petrifying but no worries, the bats and squirrel are not carnivorous.

c) at then end of the Leopard Trail, do not miss the Giraffe and Oryx areas, which I missed numerous times... this time cos I detoured to the ladies and upon coming out I saw a tram coming, before you know it, I was on board the tram.. Feel like kicking myself in the ass! Sigh!! Miss it, again!! Dont know when I'll visit Night Safari again, so that I can finally have a close look at Mandai Lake and the Zebras :(

Maybe when and if I have children and bring them there for a visit ;D

Left Luggage or Locker services in Sentosa or USS

Since I took the Joy Rider by Resort World Sentosa to Singapore, I have to travel with my luggage.

So if you going for a day trip, dont worry. There are plenty of lockers in Sentosa for the comfort of the holiday goers but I did notice price difference between lockers in different locations.

So far the cheapest seems to be the one outside or adjacent to Universal Studio Singapore (USS).

The ones INSIDE USS are quite expensive and dont go by the hour but minutes. But it's free for the first 30 minutes, specially for those taking the roller coasters.

The ones in the Forum (shopping centre) also seems a bit more expensive. There are also lockers at B1 (Basement 1) near the bus stands but I didnt manage to check the prices. Should be cheaper considering the obscure location.

Anyway there are only 2 sizes of lockers. Large and Small. The small is too small for a normal air cabin luggage and the large is too big for a cabin luggage with plenty of room to spare.

Small or large only..

Small lockers

My luggage is a air cabin size luggage - see plenty of space left!!

The price for large lockers are:-
1 hour S$4
1 day S$20

The price for small lockers are:-
1 hour S$2
1 day S$10

HOW TO USE
These are no key lockers. Basically you just key in your date of birth twice and choose your favourite color. That's all! Then the system will ASSIGN a box to you. You don't get to choose your locker number.

To open the lockers, you must go back to the same machine, key in your date of birth and the chosen color. Press ok when prompted and the locker will unlock. It's that simple!

* * * * * * * *

For more tips on:-

Universal Studio Singapore, click JL Journal/useful-tips-for-universal-studio

Singapore Night Safari click JL Journal/useful-tips-for-night-safari-singapore 

Transport from KL to Singapore

Took the opportunity to travel to Singapore during Merdeka holiday recently with my boyfriend. Actually planned to go in April but the trip just got postponed and postponed.

Which means sufficient time for planning to make it an economical trip ;p

INITIAL PLAN:-
Stay in TUNE HOTEL, Danga Bay then take the Odyssey bus from the hotel to Sentosa Island.
For Odyssey timetable and terms and conditions, click the link below:-
http://www.tunehotels.com/webres/gb/shuttle-odyssey.html

Basically it's 3 trips per day (7am, 830am and 1030am)
Return from Sentosa (630pm, 930pm and 1030pm)
They estimate the journey to take approximately 1hour15min.

After working out the costs, it came to:-
Tune Hotel 2 nites + 24 hour air con  RM180
Odyssey Bus RM25 x 2 person (if walk in purchase then RM30 x 2)
Petrol & Toll to JB estimate RM100 x 2 way

Finally decided to ditch the idea cos it seems a bit tiring to travel into and out of Singapore on the same day, not to mention have to send the car for servicing before long journey = Berhati-hati di Jalanraya

Later I found another cheaper way to get into Sentosa Island. Only S$5 for hourly bus from Sin - JB Kotaraya.

This is the bus I travelled in - Super cool with massage chair and entertainment

Timetable for shuttle bus from JB to Resort World Sentosa (RWS)

FINAL PLAN:-
Was fortunate to come across a booth marketing JoyRider coach from KL to Sentosa Island at only RM36 return but it was for same day travel. However just add RM5 for every extension up to MAX of 3 days meaning:-
RM36 - same day travel
RM41 - return on 2nd day
RM46 - return on 3rd day

Daily Pick up at 720am (Leisure Mall Cheras) arrive at 12pm (Sentosa)
Daily Depart from Sentosa at 620pm arrive at 11pm (Leisure Mall)
But for both ways, there were delay. So dont expect exact time.

Flyer for the JoyRider from KL - RWS (Resort World Sentosa)

Our seats in the double deck (upper portion)

With this info, I then decided to stay at my aunt's house in Bedok, Singapore since she's agreeable to my boyfriend staying over as well!!

Otherwise there are other accommodations available in Singapore but for cheap ones, it has to be backpackers inn and the 88 chain hotels.